Participating in a Forum
Creating or Initiating a new Thread
Note: A Forum must be created before a thread can be developed. If the option "Allow members to create new threads" is enabled, all participants in the course can create threads, including students. However, if the option is disabled, only the course instructor can post threads allowing students to only respond to threads and not create their own.
- To add a Thread to a Forum, click Communication on the Course Homepage.
- Click Discussion Board.
- Click the Forum Name in which a thread should be added.
- To add a new thread, click the Thread button.
- In the Add Thread area, type the Subject and Message.
- Add an attachment (optional).
- When finished, click the Submit button.
- The new thread is posted under the Forum.
Responding to a Thread
- Click Communication on the Course Homepage.
- Click Discussion Board.
- From the Discussion Board area, click the desired Forum title.
- Entries located under the selected Forum are now displayed. To read an entire posting, click the thread title.
- Click the Reply or Quote button.
- The Reply button - creates a new thread.
- The Quote button - creates a new thread including text of the original thread.
- In the Message area, type the reply.
Note: If needed, the original post can be viewed by clicking the Show Parent Post button.
- Add an attachment (optional).
- Click the Submit button to post the thread or choose Save if the thread needs further editing at a later time.
Note: It is important to understand the difference between these two choices:
- Submit - posts the thread for all to see.
- Save - if a reply is not quite ready to be published or submitted, the Save option can be used. This choice allows a user to save a reply but keep it invisible from everyone else. This saved response appears much like a submitted thread except for the "draft" notation next to the title. A user can then go back to finish the reply and click the Submit button to make it available for everyone to read.
A Saved Reply
- Once a Reply is submitted, it will appear in the Thread listing.
Submitted Reply
Find more answers...
Are you looking for more information related to Blackboard communication tools? Review the answers to frequently asked questions regarding the communication tools in Blackboard. Also, consider attending one of the upcoming Blackboard workshops.
Last Updated: 05/27/2008
